Can I appeal the decision if a school refuses to enrol my child?

If a school refuses to enrol your child you have the right to appeal the decision.  You must first appeal to the school’s board of management.  If this is not successful, you can appeal the decision to the Department of Education and Skills (DES) under Section 29 of The Education Act. All Section 29 forms and correspondence will be between you and the DES

Your appeal will heard by an appeals committee.  In most cases, appeals are dealt with within 30 days.  The Department may give directions to the board of management to resolve the matter.  The board of management has to obey these.  The appeals procedure makes sure that schools keep to their admissions policies.

You can get more information about appealing decisions on enrolment, as well as a list of schools in your area, on the DES website at www.des.ie

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How does the Educational Welfare Service work?
Protecting a child’s right to education
Who can refer to the Educational Welfare Service?
What is the role of the parent?
What should I do if my child is absent from school?
Can I take my child on holidays during term time?
What will the school do if my child misses a lot of school?
How do I enrol my child in School?
What happens if my family is moving to a new area away from the school?
What can I do if the school suspends or intends to expel my child?
What is home tuition?
Can I teach my child at home?
Where can I get information about other concerns that are impacting my child’s attendance?